ABSTRACT
Background: In the medical field, the trend of the surgical branches has moved towards minimal invasivesurgeries for reasons of decreased morbidity and mortality. To achieve this is thorough knowledge of the anatomy,with the variations of the concerned structure is required. Hence for a structure like superior mesenteric artery,the anatomic variations of its origin and branching pattern is important for accurate interpretation in diagnosticimaging, as well as in deciding the optimum elective procedure in surgical radiological, and interventionalmanagement.Materials and methods: The study was carried out in 50 well embalmed cadavers of South Indian origin irrespectiveof age and sex. Variations in the branches of superior mesenteric artery were noted.Results: Inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery arose from the first jejunal artery. Middle colic and right colicarteries arose as common trunk. The right colic artery was absent. Ileocolic artery arose as common trunk withright colic artery.Conclusion: A thorough knowledge of the anatomy of colonic mesenteric arteries is necessary to accomplishsuccessful uncomplicated abdominal operations, especially laparoscopic colonic resection for cancer usingproximal vascular ligation and wide-en-block resection in which the mesenteric vessels cannot be palpated.